Hurricane Laura is up to 150 mile per hour winds, and according to a Colorado State University forecaster If Laura maintains its current wind speed and pressure it will be the strongest storm to hit the state in over 100 years. As of the 7PM advisory, the eye is about 120 miles south of Lake Charles. Storm surge warnings are in effect from Freeport Texas to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
Governor Edwards tells southwest Louisiana residents who do not evacuate to stay in their homes once Laura makes landfall. Matt Doyle has the story.
Entergy has crews from 20 different states prepped ahead of the storm to respond to power outages from Laura. CEO Phillip May says residents along the Texas – Louisiana border should not be the only ones prepping for extended outages, Laura’s projected path north after it makes landfall and storms that spin-off could cause issues for other parts for the state.
Hurricane-force winds are projected to extend as far east a Baton Rouge and Alexandria. Most of the state south of I-20 is under a tornado watch until 9 pm tonight.
Congressmen Garett Graves says as the state braces for historic damage the feds are preparing to rush in financial aid to businesses who are already on the brink…